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ArticleImpact of ultrasonication and high-pressure homogenization on the structure and characteristics of emulsion-templated oleogels stabilized by low-density lipoprotein/pectin complexes(Elsevier Ltd., 2025-05)This study focused on developing high-quality oleogels based on pectin (PE) and egg yolk low-density lipoprotein (LDL) using the emulsion-template approach. The properties of PE/LDL-stabilized emulsions structured using ultrasonication (US) and high-pressure homogenization (HPH), and their corresponding oleogels were compared. The particle size, apparent viscosity, microstructure, contact angle, and storage stability of emulsions fabricated by US and HPH were investigated. Additionally, the morphology, rheological and textural properties, and thermal behavior of US- and HPH-based oleogels were analyzed. The results showed that US-fabricated emulsions exhibited smaller particle size (1.88μm), lower viscosity, smaller contact angle (10.4°), and enhanced storage stability compared to HPH-treated emulsions. The US treatment improved interactions between PE and LDL, resulting in more uniform and denser crystalline networks, which effectively entrapped more oil to form stable oleogels. The US-based oleogels at a 1:1 LDL and PE ratio displayed a stronger solid-like structure with higher strength (G′ > 1000 Pa) and reduced oil loss (6.81%) compared to HPH-based oleogels. Furthermore, the US significantly enhanced the textural and thermal properties of oleogels over HPH. These findings highlight the US as a superior technique for constructing PE/LDL-based oleogels with enhanced functional properties, offering a promising method for various food applications.
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ArticleForb diversity globally is harmed by nutrient enrichment but can be rescued by large mammalian herbivory(Nature Research, 2025-03-15)Forbs (“wildflowers”) are important contributors to grassland biodiversity but are vulnerable to environmental changes. In a factorial experiment at 94 sites on 6 continents, we test the global generality of several broad predictions: (1) Forb cover and richness decline under nutrient enrichment, particularly nitrogen enrichment. (2) Forb cover and richness increase under herbivory by large mammals. (3) Forb richness and cover are less affected by nutrient enrichment and herbivory in more arid climates, because water limitation reduces the impacts of competition with grasses. (4) Forb families will respond differently to nutrient enrichment and mammalian herbivory due to differences in nutrient requirements. We find strong evidence for the first, partial support for the second, no support for the third, and support for the fourth prediction. Our results underscore that anthropogenic nitrogen addition is a major threat to grassland forbs, but grazing under high herbivore intensity can offset these nutrient effects.
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ArticleProinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress, and organ function as biomarkers of soman (GD) chronic neurotoxicity(Nature Research, 2025-03-15)Organophosphate (OP) nerve agents, such as soman (GD), pose great risk to neurological health by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase, leading to seizures, epilepsy, and behavioral deficits. While acute treatment may alleviate immediate symptoms, the long-term consequences, particularly those involving neuroinflammation and systemic toxicity, remain poorly understood. This study used adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats to investigate the chronic effects of a single acute exposure to soman (132 µg/kg, s.c., 1.2 × LD50) on neuroinflammation, behavioral comorbidity, and systemic toxicity. Following exposure, animals were treated with atropine sulfate (2 mg/kg, i.m.) and oxime HI-6 (125 mg/kg, i.m.) to mitigate peripheral cholinergic effects, and with midazolam (3 mg/kg, i.m., 1 h post-exposure) to control seizures. Spontaneously recurring seizures were monitored during handling and with video electroencephalogram (vEEG). Neurobehavioral deficits were assessed 4–8 weeks post-exposure. At 18 weeks post-exposure, brain, serum, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were analyzed for inflammatory and nitro-oxidative stress markers, and the liver and kidney function biomarkers were evaluated. Soman-exposed animals developed epilepsy, confirmed by handling-induced seizures and/or continuous vEEG monitoring. Behavioral assessments revealed significant memory deficits following soman exposure. Proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1α, IL-18, IL-17A, and MCP-1) were significantly elevated in both serum and CSF, alongside corresponding increases in their gene expression in the brain. Elevated reactive oxygen/nitrogen species were detected in the serum. Although hematological parameters remained unchanged, a significant increase in total bilirubin and an upward trend in serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and BUN: Creatinine ratio indicated potential liver and kidney dysfunction. However, no significant structural changes in these organs at the cellular level were observed in histological analyses. This study identifies critical chronic biomarkers of soman exposure affecting the brain, serum, CSF, liver, and kidney. The findings highlight the critical need to monitor systemic and neurological impacts, as well as organ function, to develop effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for survivors of nerve agent exposure or OP pesticide poisoning. Behavioral deficits and EEG changes in soman-exposed animals further emphasize the long-term neurological consequences of exposure.
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PreprintSuperconducting dome and structural changes in LaRu3Si2 under pressure( 2025-03-14)LaRu3Si2 is of current research interest as a kagome metal with a superconducting transition temperature, Tc∼7 K and higher temperature charge density wave (CDW) orders. Here we report electrical transport and X-ray diffraction measurements on LaRu3Si2 under pressure up to 65 GPa and 35 GPa respectively. The superconducting transition temperature Tc first gets slightly enhanced and reaches a maximum ∼8.7 K at ∼8.5 GPa. With further applied pressure, Tc is initially gradually suppressed, then more rapidly suppressed, followed by gradual suppression, revealing a superconducting dome. Two possible pressure-induced structural phase transitions are also observed at room temperature, from original hexagonal phase to another hexagonal structure above ∼11.5 GPa, and further to a structure with lower symmetry above ∼23.5 GPa. These transition pressures roughly correlate with features found in our pressure dependent transport data.
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PreprintQuantum critical point followed by Kondo-like behavior due to Cu substitution in itinerant, antiferromagnet La2(CuxNi1−x)7( 2025-03-14)La2Ni7 is an itinerant magnet with a small saturated moment of ∼ 0.1 μB/Ni and a series of antiferromagnetic (AFM) transitions at T1 = 61.0 K, T2 = 56.5 K and T3 = 42.2 K. Temperature and field dependent measurements suggest a complex, anisotropic H−T phase diagram with multiple phase lines. Here we present the growth and characterization of single crystals of the La2(CuxNi1−x)7 series for 0 ≤x≤ 0.181. Using a suite of anisotropic magnetic, transport, and thermodynamic measurements we study the evolution of the three AFM transitions upon Cu substitution. For 0≤x≤0.097, the system remains magnetically ordered at base temperature with x≤ 0.012, showing signs of three primarily AFM phases. For the higher substitution levels, 0.125≤x≤0.181, there are no signatures of magnetic ordering, but an anomalous feature in resistance and heat capacity data are observed which are consistent with the Kondo effect in this system. The intermediate x = 0.105 sample lies in between the magnetic ordered and the Kondo regime and is in the vicinity of the AFM-quantum critical point (QCP). Thus, La2(CuxNi1−x)7 is an example of a small moment system that can be tuned through a QCP. Given these data combined with the fact that the La2Ni7 structure has kagome-like, Ni-sublattice running perpendicular to the crystallographic c− axis, and a 3d-electron flat band that contributes to the density of states near the Fermi energy, it becomes a promising candidate to host and study exotic physics.